Volunteer 'baby cuddlers' support preemie twins born at 23 weeks

Preemies Cade and Cason Phillips, born at just 23 weeks gestation, were not only aided by their medical care staff but also by some very blessed volunteer baby “cuddlers."

Key Takeaways: 

• Volunteer baby cuddlers provide both necessary comfort for premature infants and relief and support for parents who have babies in neonatal intensive care units.

• Over a dozen hospitals in the United States offer dedicated cuddling programs. 

• Doctors suggest that cuddling can help with both the physical and emotional health of the babies.

The Details: 

In honor of NICU Awareness Month in September, Samantha Pastorino of KETV Omaha let the world know about Cade and Cason Phillips’ early entrance to the world. The twins were born at 23 weeks, each weighing only a little over a pound.

While at Methodist Women's Hospital, visiting the NICU, Pastorino met with Dr. Deb Perry, a former physician at Methodist for over 35 years. As Perry has transitioned into retirement, she has spent her new free time doing what she now loves most: volunteer cuddling.

"As a baby cuddler, we have the opportunity to literally hold the babies, snuggle them, read to them," Perry told Pastorino.

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Perry also mentioned how fun it is to see the tiny babies all grown up when they come back later in life for NICU Reunions. Both women mentioned that they get just as much, if not more, out of cuddling these babies as the infants do from their affection. 

Why It Matters:

Infant cuddling, sometimes known as Kangaroo Care, is more than just a sweet hobby. It can help with babies’ head shape, language, and overall development. It is also a help to the parents of NICU infants, who often have lengthy hospital stays, during which most parents cannot be present around the clock.

Tori Peitz, a former NICU Mom, said that volunteering as a cuddler provides her with an opportunity to give back. "It is for those parents that can't be up here all the time. If they have to go back from maternity leave, or they live far away. It's to have someone be able to snuggle their baby when they can't be here," she said. 

Go Deeper:

• The Unsung Heroes of the NICU

• Become a volunteer baby cuddler